Coin-controlled apparatus



Aprii i2 1%2'? 1,624,881

J. B. WATLING COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS Original Filed June 29, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 12,1927. i,624,ss.

J. B. WATLING com CONTROLLED APPARATUS Original FiledJune 2 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ira/672237.- fihn .5, 74 6 26557? Patented Apr. 12 1927.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN BfWATLING, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

COIN-CONTROLLED APPARATUS.

Application filed June 29, 1923, Serial No. 648,425. Renewed February 10, 1927.

This invention relates to coin-controlled apparatus but more particularly to improvements in coin chutes for the same, and has for its primary object to provide a novel and ingenuous means for inducing the public to use the apparatus.

My improved coin chute is applicable to practically any device or apparatus which requires the insertion or deposit of a coin therein in order to effect the operation of the device. In such devices the coin generally drops into a locked coin box after performing its function of operating or permitting operation of the machine. With my invention, however, for the purpose of stimulating interest in the use of the machine, a portion of the coins deposited are arranged to be returned to the operator after they have performed their function, and the selection of the coins to be returned is accomplished by a mechanism in such a manner that there is no pie-arranged order of selection, nor any possibility of the operator controlling the selection or determining in advance which coins will be returned. To this end a coin operatechtree spinning wheel is mounted in the path of the deposited coins at a point when the operator can not control the manner in which the coin drops onto the wheel, and the selection of the coins to be returned is governed by the position in which the wheel comes to rest after the preceding operation and also the particular part of the wheel upon which the coin falls after it is deposited in the machine.

My invention will be better understood by reference to the follow specification when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating a selected embodiment thereof, in which.

Fig. l is a rear elevation partially in section of a weighing scale having my im-i proved .coin chute incorporated therein;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged central vertical section of the coin chute; and

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

For the sake of illustration I have incorporated my improved coin chute in a coincontrolled weighing scale having a casing or cabinet 10 and a weighing mechanism 11, similar to that shown in my application filed August L, 1923, Serial No, 655,574. This mechanism is normally locked and rendered inoperative by a latch 12 carried on a rocking lever 13 fulcrumed at 14:. This latch 12 normally engages the stop 12 on the gear 12 of the weighing mechanism. A coin pocket 15 is mounted on the outer end of a trip lever 15 to catch a coin entering the casing through the coin slot 16, and the weight of the coin in this pocket causes this end of the lever 15 to swing downwardly, striking the inwardly projecting end 13 of the lever 13 and releasing the latch 12. The release of the stop 12 permits the scale to operate. \Vhen the outer end of the lever 15 has moved downwardly a sufiioient distance, the coin falls from the coin pocket into the mouth 1'7 of the coin chute 1 8.

The coin dhute 18 is preferably formed in two parts 19 and 20 connected by an adjustable joining member 21, and the lower portion of the part 20 is divided into two branches 22 and 23, the branch 22 communicating with the usual looked coin boX 24: within the casing 10, and the branch 23 leading to a coin returned receptacle 23 on the outside of the casing. A free spinning wheel 25 is disposed in the ,chutelS above the division point and preferably below the joining member 21. This wheel is revolubly mounted on pins 26 disposed in opposite walls of the chute and comprises a hub 27 provided with radial vanes or blades 28.

A coin passing through the chute will strike one of the vanes 28 of the wheel 25 and cause this wheel to rotate. The direction of this rotation depends upon the path of fall of the coin-within the chute and the position of the vanes of the wheel. The wheel rotates freely and without obstruction so that it may rest in any position. If the wheel is in the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the descent of the coin A indicated in solid lines will cause this wheel to rotate in a counter clockwise direction and the coin will be deposited in the branch 23 of the chute leading to the return receptacle. The depositor thus learns his weight without cost. Assuming the wheel to'be in the same position, the descent of the coin A indicated in dotted lines will cause the wheel to be rotated ina clockwise direction red,

and this coin will enter the branch 22 of the chute leading to the coin. box. In this case the depositor also learns his weight but does not have his coin returned to him. The position of the wheel can not be ascertained by the depositor of the coin so that he has no way of knowing whether or not he will receive free service.

While the chute may be made in one part instead of two, as will be readily evident, it has been found to be advantageous to use the latter construction for the joining memb r 21 permits of adjustment in case the machine favors either'the coin box or the return receptacle. The joining member fits the base of the upper part 19 and its lower portion is connected to the upper end of the part 20 by screws 30 passing through slots 31 in the lugs 32 on the base of the member. This construction permits the axis of the upper part of the chute to be adjusted transversely of the axis of the wheel to increase the percentage of coins entering a particular branch. of the chute. When a coin is returned to the depositor in the manner described, it is always the one deposited by him so that there is no opportunity for a person to put in a slug and secure a good coin from the machine. It has been found in practice that when the machine is properly adjusted, about an even proportion of the coins will enter each of the branches of the chute.

A. somewhat similar result may be accomplished without the use of a wheel or other especially provided deflecting means when the branches substantially form a continuation of the main chute as is the case in the embodiment shown in the drawings. The junction of the walls of the branch chutes form a deflector which diverts the -oins into one or the other of these branch chutes in an uncertain manner depending on the path of fall.

I am aware that many changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts of my device without departing from the spirit of my invention and I reserve the right to make all such as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a coin-controlled mechanism including a main chute with a single coin receiving slot having two branch chutes directly connected thereto for receiving the coins that control said mechanism, a main chute having a single coinreceiving slot and guide tube, and a freely rotating member in said main chute operable by the coins so as to deflect in an uncertain manner the coins from said main chute into the branch chutes for delivery to a lock box or externally for return.

2. In a coin-controlled apparatus, a casing, a com box within said casing, a main coin chute within said casing having one lateral branch leading to said box and another downwardly extending branch communicating with the outside of said casing, both of said branch chutes being directly in communication with the main chute, and a freely rotatable bladed wheel coin-operated deflector for diverting in an uncertain manner the coins from said main chute into said branch chutes.

3. In a coin-controlled apparatus, a main coin chute having a plurality of branch chutes leading therefrom, and a free spinning laded wheel in said main chute above the juncture of said branch chutes for diverting in an uncertain manner coins from said main chute into said branch chutes.

4c. In a coin-controlled apparatus, a main coin chute having upper and lower sections relatively shiftable laterally, branch chutes communicating with the lower section of said main chute, and deflecting means for diverting in an uncertain manner coins from said main chute into said branch chutes.

5. In a coin-controlled apparatus, a main coin chute comprising upper and lower sections connected by an adjustable joining member to permit relative lateral shifting of the sections, branch chutes communicating with the lower section of the main chute, and deflecting means in the lower section of said main chute for diverting in an uncertain manner coins from said'main chute into said branch chutes.

6. The combination with a COlIl COlltrolled mechanism including a main chute lateral branch leading to said box and an other downwardly extending branch com municating with the outside of said casing, and a freely rotatable bladed wheel forming a coin-operated deflector for diverting in an uncertain manner the coins from'said main chute into said branch chutes.

8. The combination with a coin-controlled mechanism having a chute with a coin-receiving slot, said chute designed to receive the coin after operation of the mechanism and having an upper part and a lower part, the lower part being larger than the upper part and having a laterally adjustable connection therewith, said lower part having a plurality of branches, and a freely rotatable vane wheel mounted in the lower part for deflecting the coins into one of said branches. 9. The combination with a coin-controlled mechanism having a chute with a coin-receiving slot, said chute designed to receive the coin after operation of the mechanism and having an upper part and a lower part, the lower part being larger than the upper part and having a laterally adjustable connection therewith, said lower part having a lateral branch leading to a coin box and another branch leading to a coin-return receptacle, and a free spinning vane Wheel rotatably mounted in the lower part of the chute above the division line between the branches to deflect the coins into the branches.

JOHN B. XVATLING. 

